September 2018

Minister of Tourism shares Sierra Leone’s investment opportunities with international journalists in Paris

By Mohamed Faray Kargbo and Kai Bockarie Saquee

“We want to build confidence and to assure the world that Sierra Leone is ready once more to attract tourists from theFrench Market.”

These were the words of the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Memunatu Pratt to a cross section of international journalists at the French Exposition in Paris, France.

In a Press Conference organized on Wednesday September 26,2018, Madam Pratt told the Press that “tourism is the only asset that can transform Sierra Leone.”

While exhibiting the hidden treasures of Sierra Leone, Madam Pratt underscored the need to take advantage of the endless opportunities that the country is blessed with to tour Sierra Leone.

A video displaying the touristic potentials of Sierra Leone was viewed by all journalists who were present for the conference.

The media practitioners asked series of questions ranging from the peace and stability of the country to the infrastructural development of the nation.

In attendance were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Tampa Gbetuwa, Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh, General Manager, National Tourist Board, Fatmata Abe-Osagie, Alieya A Kargbo of Tourism is Life and Miss Sierra Leone 2018, Sarah Laura Tucker.

IFTM Top Resa is the biggest forum where top global tour operators meet to network and improve business relations.

Media and Communications Unit Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs King Harman Road

Thomas Cook Group, one of the leading global tour operators would soon start doing tourist business with Sierra Leone.

In the meeting with the Flight and Airport Services Manager of Thomas Cook Group, Stephane Joly, he assured that they would be coming to Sierra Leone to evaluate the tourism investment opportunities.

Facilitated by the National Tourist Board, the Group held meetings with Sierra Leone’s Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Memunatu Pratt during the French Expo in Paris.

While inviting Thomas Cook Group to explore Sierra Leone, the Minister assured that the country’s rich cultural and touristic resources could hardly be compared with others.

The Group promised to visit Sierra Leone in November, 2018 to evaluate the touristic strength with a view to marketing her to tourists globally.

“Sierra Leone remains one of the untapped treasures of the world” remarked the country’s Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh.

Fatmata Abe Osagie is the Acting General Manager of the Tourist Board of Sierra Leone, she confessed that bringing Thomas Cook Group to Sierra Leone could be the best thing to happen to tourism in Sierra Leone.

Thomas Cook Group operates in over 150 countries. Their package holidays are second to none with some of the world’s best destinations.

The Vice President of Sierra Leone has launched the Adopt-A-Booth Project.

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh admonished users to ‘use the booths to sell good things’ while disclosing that he felt honoured to be part of the rebranding revolution of the tourism industry.

The event which was done at the Family Kingdom, Aberdeen on Thursday 13th September, 2018 attracted key stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board, the project will not only transform the beach front but also provide jobs for youths and women.

“We want businesses to adopt booths to specifically support youths and women who may not have the resources to construct such booths.” remarked Memunatu Pratt, the Minister of Tourism.

Concerned about the deteriorating status of Sierra Leone’s beaches, she assured that the project would link businesses to the creative sectors such that the country’s beaches would be sights-to-behold.

Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer promised to partner with the Tourism Ministry to make Freetown an attractive tourist destination. “The beaches we take for granted, take the breath of tourists away.” she concluded.

Once a preferred tourist destination, international tourist arrivals dropped considerably following the outbreak of civil war in Sierra Leone.

“We have an opportunity to rebrand Sierra Leone but we need to cooperate and mobilize the key players.” Deputy Minister of Information, Solomon Jamiru averred.

Fatmata Abe-Osagie, Acting General Manager of the National Tourist Board says there were four categories of support: the Diamond which goes for Le 50m, the Gold-Le 33m, the Silver-Le 19m and general donation for the project.

Adopting-a-booth to improve livelihoods can be a daunting task for Aberdeen community’s poor youths and women.The launch of the project is a dream come true for the Parliamentary Representative of Constituency 131, Hon Rahman Coker.

Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh called for private public collaboration to alleviate the plight of adopting such booths stressing that ‘tourism is one of the growth sectors.’

“This is a laudable idea, we will make the necessary legislation to improve tourism and develop Lumley beach to international standards.” says Hon Tom Issic Tucker, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

Few institutions like the Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and Ministry of Information and Communications have already shown commitment to adopt a booth.

With unwavering political commitment and a multifaceted approach to development, tourism could once again be the engine of economic growth in Sierra Leone.

Organised by: The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone

Today on the 11/09/2018 the prestigious AYV hosted the well aufaut Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs as she informed the general public about the Adopt a booth theory and launch on the 13th September 2018 at 11:30 at the famous Family Kingdom Resort….amongst the random questions she nailed was based on: Beach safety and security, demolition, sustainability, replication of the adopt a booth to beaches, tourism policy related issues, marketing and rebranding the destination. The Minister poised a stronger position on the above issues and responded accordingly as wise viewers passive through. Finally she encourage the general public to exhibit collaboration and willingness to work and foster peace and security along tourism potentials areas. As she concludes she implore investors, corporate houses, traders and interested citizens to express interest in the adopt booth.

UN Climate Change Conference – Bangkok 4 to 9 September 2018 Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 48.2) Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 48.2) Sixth part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1.6)

Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. This recognizes that the contribution of countries to climate change and their capacity to prevent it and cope with its consequences vary enormously. Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.

In accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities” set out in the Convention, developed country Parties are to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the UNFCCC. The Paris Agreement reaffirms the obligations of developed countries, while for the first time also encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties. Developed country Parties should also continue to take the lead in mobilizing climate finance from a wide variety of sources, instruments and channels, noting the significant role of public funds, through a variety of actions, including supporting country-driven strategies, and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing country Parties. Such mobilization of climate finance should represent a progression beyond previous efforts.

Since the introduction of the cleaning exercises by the HE. The President, the Minister so far has shown the correct and timely inventions, together with her keep on toes team members, ensuring the dreams of making Sierra Leone a tourist destination once again revamp. This is so far been visible by the very involvement of the proactive Minister of Tourism in this cleaning along the coastal lines beaches. The Ministry and The Board has so far use this cleaning exercises as better approach in creating the right awareness needed for communities who has less knowledge about their responsibility and roles as custodians of these touristic sites countrywide.

Sierra Leone is part of 150 speakers, culture ministers and artists gather from around the globe as Edinburgh International Culture Summit opens in World’s Leading Festival City.

44 Ministerial and Cultural Policy delegations arrive at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit including from Sierra Leone, the USA, Singapore, Rwanda, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia and the Ukraine.

Over 80 artists, influencers, practitioners and researchers from countries including Denmark, South Africa, China, Romania, India and Italy.

For its 4th edition this year the Summit addresses three key areas; Culture in a Networked World, Culture and Investment and Culture and Wellbeing.

This year’s Summit 2018 gives Ministers and senior policy-makers the opportunity to work in collaboration with artists and practitioners and share global best-practices to develop effective policies and a lasting impact, on humanity and environments.

The Edinburgh International Culture Summit is a collaboration between the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and UK Government.

Scotland’s First Minister the RT Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP said: “I’m delighted that this year, more than 150 artists, policy-makers, producers and thinkers – from over 40 countries – are taking part. Their presence here speaks to our shared belief that culture is of central importance to any society.It also demonstrates our shared commitment to improve the way we support, develop and promote our cultural sectors.”

Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Theresa May MP said: “It is fitting that this city plays host to the world’s largest gathering of Culture Ministers. This Summit is an incredible opportunity for everyone here to share their experience and to look at policy ideas and interventions.”